Asian Cars

              Ric Curcio & Mary Littel

              2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata

I had just turned 16, finished driver's ed, passed the test, and gotten my driver's license. One of my best friend's dads was turning in his old 1953 Austin-Healey for the new 3000 model. He offered it to his son for $500. Jim didn't have that much and suggested we each go in half for it. My first car!

 

We shared it a lot, and boy, did I love it when it was my turn to grind first gear. (no synchromesh)  We also took turns taking our girlfriends to the drive-in theater. We did not, however, share our girlfriends!

 

Unfortunately, the car met an untimely end. We lived at the top of a rather high hill with a steep driveway. The parking brake was not very good, and one night the Healy decided to go out on its own. Down the driveway, across the street, and into a tree on the other side of the road. It was pure luck that it didn't hit a car coming along the street.

 

We didn't have the money to fix the car, so we sold it at a loss. From then on, it was more ordinary vehicles. When I got to my second childhood, I wanted to race cars, but I couldn't afford them, so I bought a motorcycle instead. So, I raced them instead for several years - (scrambles, motocross, and enduros).

 

I really missed driving that Healy, and one day I saw a Mazda Miata and took it for a test drive. The salesman had me drive it on a very twisty road. I was back driving a Healy again! I purchased a Grand Touring with a retractable hard top. I can best describe what it is like to own one by copying the introduction to the owner’s manual "ZOOM-Z" O."

 

•  "All children instinctively know."

•  A few adults still remember."

• "One unique car company refuses to outgrow."

• "In grown-up language, it means the exhilaration and liberation that come from experiencing sheer mot"o""

• "But as usual, children put it much better and simply call "t "Go Zoom-Zo."

• "We practice it every day. It's why we build the kind of cars we "o""

• "Zoom-Zo"

• "Can we re-awaken it in you today?"

 

The car I finally purchased is Mazda's new color, "Soul R". One day, I was parked on Venice Avenue in the center of Venice. A lady was taking pictures downtown, and I suggested she take some pictures of Centennial Park. She said, " Oh, I was taking pictures of your c"r!"

 

By the way, Miata's license plate is "4 ZO" MN.